Dynamic skater toy

ABSTRACT

A dynamic skater toy includes a trunk member having a front pivot shaft that projects from left and right sides of a lower front portion of the trunk member. Each of a pair of leg members is coupled pivotally to the front pivot shaft adjacent to a respective one of the left and right sides of the lower front portion, and is capable of forward and rearward swinging movement about the front pivot shaft. A link mechanism is disposed in each leg member and couples pivotally the respective leg member to a respective foot member such that the former is capable of limited forward and rearward pivoting movement relative to the latter. A wheel mechanism is mounted in each foot member and includes a plurality of rollers to be placed in rolling contact with a surface, and a drive unit for driving the foot member to translate on the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a dynamic toy, more particularly to one that is capable of lifelike simulation of the movements of a roller skater.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Toys can be generally classified as static toys or dynamic toys. Appearance is a primary design consideration for static toys. On the other hand, aside from considering their appearance, as to how movement of an animal or object can be simulated in order to achieve an amusement effect is also a primary design consideration for dynamic toys. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional dynamic toy 1 that is capable of simulating forward, rearward and spinning movement of a roller skater. However, the lifelike simulation that can be achieved by the conventional dynamic toy 1 is not satisfactory because the parts thereof that correspond to different joints of the human body are immobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a dynamic toy that is capable of lifelike simulation of the movements of a roller skater.

[0006] According to this invention, a dynamic skater toy comprises:

[0007] a trunk member having a lower front portion with left and right sides, and a front pivot shaft that projects from the left and right sides of the lower front portion;

[0008] a pair of leg members, each of which is coupled pivotally to the front pivot shaft adjacent to a respective one of the left and right sides of the lower front portion, and is capable of forward and rearward swinging movement about the front pivot shaft;

[0009] a pair of foot members;

[0010] a pair of link mechanisms, each of which is disposed in a respective one of the leg members and couples pivotally the respective one of the leg members to a respective one of the foot members such that the respective one of the leg members is capable of limited forward and rearward pivoting movement relative to the respective one of the foot members; and

[0011] a pair of wheel mechanisms, each of which is mounted in a respective one of the foot members and includes a plurality of rollers adapted to be placed in rolling contact with a surface, and a drive unit adapted to drive the respective one of the foot members to translate on the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional dynamic skater toy;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a partly exploded perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment of a dynamic skater toy according to this invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating a wheel mechanism thereof in a forward driving mode;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic rear view of the first preferred embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating the wheel mechanism in a reverse driving mode;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating downward pivoting movement of an arm member thereof;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary schematic partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating upward pivoting movement of the arm member;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary schematic view of the second preferred embodiment of a dynamic skater toy according to this invention; and

[0021]FIG. 9 is another fragmentary schematic view to illustrate a head drive mechanism of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of a dynamic skater toy according to the present invention is adapted to simulate the movements of a roller skater, and is shown to comprise a trunk member 2, a control mechanism 3, a pair of leg members 4, a pair of foot members 5, a pair of arm members 6, a pair of link mechanisms 7, and a pair of wheel mechanisms 8.

[0024] The trunk member 2 includes a trunk frame 20. A front pivot shaft 21 projects from left and right sides of a lower front portion of the trunk frame 20. A support shaft 22 projects from left and right sides of a lower rear portion of the trunk frame 20. An upper pivot shaft 23 projects from left and right sides of an upper portion of the trunk frame 20. The trunk frame 20 has an intermediate portion formed with an upright mounting cavity 26. Across-shaped balancing shaft 24 is disposed in the mounting cavity 26. The balancing shaft 24 includes an axially rotatable upright portion 241 that is rotatably retained in the mounting cavity 26, and a pair of horizontal portions 242 that project respectively from left and right sides of the upright portion 241. The horizontal portions 242 are thus rotatable relative to the trunk frame 20 about an axis of the upright portion 241. The trunk member 2 further includes a housing 25 to conceal the trunk frame 20 therein.

[0025] The control mechanism 3 includes a circuit board 31 mounted on the trunk frame 20 of the trunk member 2, and a controller 32 associated with the circuit board 31 and operable so as to transmit control signals to be received by the circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 is provided with a control switch (not shown) to control supply of electric power thereto in a known manner. In this embodiment, the controller 32 is capable of establishing wireless communication with the circuit board 31, such as via conventional radio frequency or infrared transmission means, so as to transmit the control signals thereto.

[0026] With further reference to FIG. 4, each of the leg members 4 is coupled pivotally to the front pivot shaft 21 adjacent to a respective one of the left and right sides of the trunk frame 20. Each of the leg members 4 is thus capable of forward and rearward swinging movement about the front pivot shaft 21. Each of the leg members 4 includes complementary first and second housing parts 41, 42, and a coupling plate 43 that extends upwardly from the first housing part 41. The first and second housing parts 41, 42 cooperate to confine a compartment 44 therein. The first housing part 41 has an upper rear portion formed with a vertically extending limiting slot 411 that permits the support shaft 22 of the trunk frame 20 to extend into the compartment 44. The second housing part 42 is formed with a battery chamber 421 for receiving a battery cell therein. The coupling plate 43 has an intermediate portion formed with a balancing hole 431 that permits one of the horizontal portions 242 of the balancing shaft 24 to extend thereinto. The coupling plate 43 further has an upper portion formed with a coupling pin 432 that extends toward the trunk frame 20. Due to the engagement between the balancing shaft 24 and the coupling plates 43 of the leg members 4, stability during movement of the dynamic skater toy can be enhanced.

[0027] Each of the foot members 5 is disposed at a bottom end of a respective one of the leg members 4. Each of the foot members 5 includes complementary third and fourth housing parts 51, 52 (see FIG. 2) that cooperate to confine a foot compartment 53 (see FIG. 5) therein.

[0028] Each of the arm members 6 is pivoted on the upper pivot shaft 23 adjacent to a respective one of the left and right sides of the trunk frame 20. Each of the arm members 6 includes an arm body 61, which simulates a human arm, a coupling sleeve 62 that extends from the arm body 61 to couple pivotally with the upper pivot shaft 23, and a pivot link 63 disposed on the coupling sleeve 62 and capable of pivoting forwardly and rearwardly together with the arm body 61 about an axis of the coupling sleeve 62. The pivot link 63 has a distal portion remote from the coupling sleeve 62 and formed with a slide slot 631 for engaging the coupling pin 432 on the coupling plate 43 of a respective one of the leg members 4. As such, synchronized movements of the arm and leg members 6, 4 relative to the trunk frame 20 are thus possible in view of the connection between each arm member 6 and the respective leg member 4.

[0029] Each of the link mechanisms 7 is disposed in the compartment 44 of a respective one of the leg members 4, and includes a link shaft 71 and a pivot seat 72 having an upper end coupled to the respective leg member 4 and a lower end coupled to a respective one of the foot members 5. The link shaft 71 has an upper end 711 and a lower end 712. The pivot seat 72 includes an upper seat body 721, a coupling shaft 725 extending downwardly from the seat body 721, a lower rotary block 722 coupled rotatably to the coupling shaft 725, and front and rear pivot members 723, 724 that project upwardly from front and rear ends of the seat body 721.

[0030] The link mechanisms 7 couple pivotally the respective leg member 4 to the respective foot member 5 such that the former is capable of limited forward and rearward pivoting movement relative to the latter. To this end, the opposite ends of the support shaft 22 extend respectively into the compartments 44 of the leg members 4 via the limiting slots 411, and the upper end 711 of the link shaft 71 of each link mechanism 7 is connected pivotally to the support shaft 22. The lower end 712 of the link shaft 71 of each link mechanism 7 is connected pivotally to the rear pivot member 724 of the pivot seat 72. The front pivot member 723 of the pivot seat 72 is connected pivotally to the first and second housing parts 41, 42 of the respective leg member 4.

[0031] With further reference to FIG. 5, each of the wheel mechanisms 8 is mounted in the foot compartment 53 of a respective one of the foot members 5, and includes complementary fifth and sixth housing parts 81, 82 (see FIG. 4) having three in-line rollers 84 disposed rotatably therein. The fifth and sixth housing parts 81, 82 are formed with three sets of vertically extending axle slots 85 for rotatably supporting the rollers 84. The elongate design of the axle slots 85 results in a lower precision requirement during fabrication for ensuring that all of the rollers 84 can be steadily placed for rolling contact with a surface. The fifth and sixth housing parts 81, 82 have top ends formed with a lock unit 87 for locking engagement with the rotary block 722 of the pivot seat 72 of a respective one of the link mechanisms 7. As such, each of the foot members 5 is rotatable together with the respective wheel mechanism 8 relative to the respective leg member 4 and about the coupling shaft 725 of the pivot seat 72 of the respective link mechanism 7.

[0032] Each of the wheel mechanisms 8 further includes a drive unit 86 that includes a source 861 of drive power, a speed-reduction gearing 862 driven by the source 861, a clutch unit 863 driven by the gearing 862, a drive gear 864 driven by the clutch unit 863, and a surface translating wheel 865 driven by the drive gear 864. The source 861 is a bi-directional motor that is connected to the battery chamber 421 of a respective leg member 4 and that is further connected to the circuit board 31. The gearing 862 is in the form of a known arrangement of large and small-sized gears. The clutch unit 863 includes a large gear 8630 meshing with the gearing 862, a sun gear 8631 co-rotating with the large gear 8630, a rotary gear carrier 8632 disposed between the large gear 8630 and the sun gear 8631, and a planet gear 8633 mounted rotatably on the gear carrier 8632 and meshing with the sun gear 8631. The gear carrier 8632 is formed with a limiting flange 8634. The drive gear 864 is driven by the planet gear 8633. The surface translating wheel 865 is disposed at the same level as the rollers 84 and is provided with a rubber friction lining 866 for enhanced traction.

[0033] Since the particular configuration of the drive unit 86 is not pertinent to the claimed invention, a detailed description of the same will be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

[0034] During forward driving action of the drive unit 86, the limiting flange 8634 abuts against a top side of a top wall of the housing of the wheel mechanism 8. The planet gear 8633 meshes with both the sun gear 8631 and the drive gear 864 such that the surface translating wheel 865 is driven to rotate in a positive direction, as best shown in FIG. 3. During reverse driving action of the drive unit 86, the limiting flange 8634 is moved anti-clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 5, where the limiting flange 8634 abuts against a bottom side of the top wall of the housing of the wheel mechanism 8. At this time, the planet gear 8633 meshes with both the sun gear 8631 and the drive gear 864 such that the surface translating wheel 865 is driven to rotate in a negative direction. Note that the planet gear 8633 is disengaged from the drive gear 864 during movement of the limiting flange 8634 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 5, or vice versa. As such, both the drive gear 864 and the surface translating wheel 865 are allowed to decelerate before a change in the surface translating direction to avoid toppling of the dynamic skater toy.

[0035] When the user operates the controller 32 so as to control forward driving action of the drive unit 86 of one of the wheel mechanisms 8 to cause the corresponding leg member 4 to pivot forwardly about the front pivot shaft 21 (see FIG. 6), the corresponding arm member 6 will be urged to pivot upwardly about the upper pivot shaft 23 by the coupling pin 432. At the same time, the other leg member 4 will be disposed behind and thus pivots rearwardly about the front pivot shaft 21 (see FIG. 7) such that the other arm member 6 will be allowed to pivot downwardly about the upper pivot shaft 23 by the coupling pin 432 of the other leg member 4. By performing alternating control of the forward driving actions of the drive units 86 of the wheel mechanisms 8, lifelike simulation of the forward movement of a roller skater can be achieved. It should be noted that the drive units 86 of the wheel mechanisms 8 are also capable of being controlled to perform forward or reverse driving action simultaneously. In addition, when one of the drive units 86 is controlled to perform a forward driving action, whereas the other of the drive units 86 is controlled to perform a reverse driving action, the dynamic skater toy will simulate a spinning movement of a roller skater.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in order to further enhance lifelike movement of the dynamic skater toy of this invention, the housing 25 of the trunk member 2 can include a trunk housing part 251 and a head housing part 252 coupled rotatably to the trunk housing part 251. The dynamic skater toy further comprises a head drive mechanism 9 that includes a first gear unit 91 connected to the head housing part 252, a second gear unit 92 connected to the pivot link 63 of one of the arm members 6, and a third gear unit 93 that is mounted rotatably in the trunk housing part 251 and that meshes with the first and second gear units 91, 92. Since the pivot link 63 is connected to one of the leg members 4, and since the second gear unit 92 rotates with the pivot link 63, forward and rearward movement of said one of the leg members 4 results in left and right turning movement of the head housing part 252 relative to the trunk housing part 251.

[0037] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

I claim:
 1. A dynamic skater toy comprising: a trunk member having a lower front portion with left and right sides, and a front pivot shaft that projects from said left and right sides of said lower front portion; a pair of leg members, each of which is coupled pivotally to said front pivot shaft adjacent to a respective one of said left and right sides of said lower front portion, and is capable of forward and rearward swinging movement about said front pivot shaft; a pair of foot members; a pair of link mechanisms, each of which is disposed in a respective one of said leg members and couples pivotally the respective one of said leg members to a respective one of said foot members such that the respective one of said leg members is capable of limited forward and rearward pivoting movement relative to the respective one of said foot members; and a pair of wheel mechanisms, each of which is mounted in a respective one of said foot members and includes a plurality of rollers adapted to be placed in rolling contact with a surface, and a drive unit adapted to drive the respective one of said foot members to translate on the surface.
 2. The dynamic skater toy of claim 1, wherein said trunk member further has a lower rear portion with left and right sides, and a support shaft that projects from said left and right sides of said lower rear portion, each of said link mechanisms including a pivot seat that has an upper end coupled to the respective one of said leg members, and a lower end coupled to the respective one of said foot members, each of said link mechanisms further including a link shaft that has an upper end coupled pivotally to said support shaft, and a lower end coupled pivotally to said pivot seat.
 3. The dynamic skater toy of claim 2, wherein said pivot seat includes an upper seat body coupled pivotally to the respective one of said leg members, and a lower rotary block connected to the respective one of said foot members, said lower rotary block being coupled rotatably to said upper seat body such that the respective one of said foot members is rotatable relative to the respective one said leg members about a vertical axis.
 4. The dynamic skater toy of claim 1, wherein said trunk member includes a balancing shaft having an axially rotatable upright portion with left and right sides, and a pair of horizontal portions that project respectively from said left and right sides of said balancing shaft, each of said leg members being further coupled pivotally to a respective one of said horizontal portions.
 5. The dynamic skater toy of claim 1, further comprising a pair of arm members, each of which is coupled pivotally to said trunk member and is connected to a respective one of said leg members for synchronized movement therewith.
 6. The dynamic skater toy of claim 1, wherein each of said wheel mechanisms further includes a housing formed with a plurality of sets of vertically extending axle slots for rotatably supporting said rollers.
 7. The dynamic skater toy of claim 1, further comprising a control mechanism that includes a circuit board mounted in said trunk member and connected electrically to said drive units of said wheel mechanisms, and a controller associated with said circuit board and operable so as to transmit control signals received by said circuit board for independent control of operations of said drive units of said wheel mechanisms.
 8. The dynamic skater toy of claim 1, wherein said trunk member includes a housing with a trunk housing part and a head housing coupled rotatably to said trunk housing part, said dynamic skater toy further comprising a head drive mechanism that includes a first gear unit connected to said head housing part, a second gear unit connected to one of said leg members for rotation therewith when said one of said leg members swings forward and rearward about said front pivot shaft, and a third gear unit that is mounted rotatably in said trunk housing part and that meshes with said first and second gear units such that rotation of said second gear unit results in turning movement of said head housing part relative to said trunk housing part. 